A quick look at the posters, trailers, and marketing for Barbarian gave me the impression that this film would be a standard, forgettable low-budget horror flick. However, I quickly realized that this was not even remotely the case. Barbarian opens with Tess (Georgina Campbell) in a desolate Detroit suburb, pulling up to her Airbnb. However, for some reason, it’s already occupied by a man named Keith (played by the always creepy Bill Skarsgård). They agree to share the Airbnb, but something’s not quite right with this place. This is intentionally very vague, as the best part of Barbarian is knowing little to nothing about the many twists and turns this story takes. It continues to pull the rug out from under you until the very end. 

The first thing you will walk out of the theater (trust me, this is a theatrical must-see) thinking about is this film’s immaculate script. This is an uncommon feat for a horror film, but this movie is so slickly written and is marvelous to watch unfold. The characters and narratives created here feel so authentic and are brought to life thanks to the strong performances from Campbell, Skarsgård, and especially Justin Long (who is a magnificent highlight as douchebag Hollywood executive AJ). The script constantly leaves you guessing where the movie is going to take you, and it trusts its audience to be along for the ride as it weaves a narrative that’s a far cry from anything the marketing left you expecting.

The sense of dread and fear here isn’t manipulative or manufactured by jump scares and loud piano noises intended to make you fall out of your seat. Instead, it’s built by the uneasiness of not knowing what is next or what is in front of you. This is maintained throughout the film thanks in no small part to cinematographer Zach Kuperstein and editor Joe Murphy. They mix in tracking shots, one-takes, and POV shots that make you walk in the shoes of these characters as they explore these pitch-black hallways & dimly-lit streets. This masterful camera work mixed with a stellar and ominous score by Anna Drubich keeps you endlessly on your toes.

All of this sets up for a riveting third act which throws out everything you thought you knew about this film and allows you to see it from a brand-new perspective. This turn isn’t frightening, but instead rather depressing and leaves you feeling pity for everyone involved. This is also where the main issue lies, however, as the final sequence ended up feeling somewhat abrupt and jarring tonally from what was being presented earlier. While it makes sense from a character perspective, it leaves you with a feeling of wanting more. I’m not sure if it needed more fleshed-out plots or more frights, but a longer runtime would’ve absolutely benefitted this. 

All that said though, Barbarian is an exhilarating, terror-filled, and surprisingly emotional horror classic in the making that I would instantly recommend to anyone. It is truly a work of art that deserves all the praise that it's received and more.

9/10